Contract awarded for dredging Detroit River

Sep. 15, 2013

Written by

Detroit Free Press staff writer

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Detroit Division has awarded a nearly $1.5 million contract for maintenance dredging on the Detroit River.

The contract, awarded to Ryba Marine Construction Co. of Cheboygan, will involve the removal of nearly 150,000 cubic yards of accumulated sand, silt and organic material from the East Outer Channel, where the river runs into Lake Erie. The work is slated to begin later this month and conclude in mid-November.

“This important dredging project will help maintain a key Great Lakes navigational channel to keep cargo moving — products like iron ore, limestone, coal and cement — that are vital to the regional economy,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer, in a statement.

The project was awarded under a special contract established with 10 companies capable of dredging in the Great Lakes, and designed to expedite the bid solicitation and awarding process for dredging in shipping channels and harbors.